Experience the best of South Australia and Victoria on this 3-day Adelaide to Melbourne tour. From ancient Australian animals and world-class wineries to the iconic Great Ocean Road, this itinerary offers a perfect blend of nature, history, and culture.
Morning: Explore Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf
Your journey begins with a pick-up from your Adelaide hotel at 8:30 AM. We head into the picturesque Adelaide Hills, where you’ll explore Hahndorf, a charming German village, and visit the Mt Lofty Summit for breathtaking views of Adelaide.
Midday: Discover Grain Lands and Wine Regions
Continuing our journey, we travel through the scenic grain and stock lands towards Keith, a quaint town where we’ll stop for lunch. Post-lunch, we head south into the Padthaway wine region, one of South Australia’s newer wine areas.
Afternoon: Naracoorte Caves and Coonawarra Wine Tasting
Next, we visit the World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves, famous for its fossil discoveries of prehistoric MegaFauna. The day concludes with a wine-tasting experience in the renowned Coonawarra region, known for producing some of the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignon.
Evening: Overnight in Mt Gambier
Our day ends in Mt Gambier, where you’ll be accommodated in luxurious rooms at ‘The Barn’. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the award-winning on-site restaurant.
Morning: Mt Gambier to Port Fairy
Start your day with breakfast before visiting the famous ‘Blue Lake’ in Mt Gambier. We then travel to Port Fairy, a charming coastal town, followed by a visit to Tower Hill Reserve, where you may spot Emus, Koalas, Kangaroos, and Echidnas in their natural habitat.
Midday: Begin the Great Ocean Road Journey
After passing through Warrnambool and Allansford, we reach the start of the Great Ocean Road. Here, you’ll witness the impressive limestone formations at the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands. We also visited the historic London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge, the site of Australia’s most famous 19th-century shipwreck. You’ll hear the full story while viewing original artefacts and documents from the wreck.
Afternoon: The Twelve Apostles and Otway National Park
Next, we visit one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, the Twelve Apostles. Capture stunning photos of these limestone stacks and, for an additional cost, enjoy a helicopter ride for an aerial view of the coast. We then venture into the lush Otway National Park and continue to Apollo Bay.
Evening: Accommodation and Dinner at Apollo Bay
Stay overnight at the beautiful Beacon Point Ocean View Villas, perched on a hill with sweeping views of the Southern Ocean. Dinner is at the award-winning Chris’ Restaurant, offering a diverse and delicious menu with equally impressive views.
Morning: Explore Apollo Bay and Otway Rainforest
Enjoy a continental breakfast at Chris’s Restaurant before exploring the seaside town of Apollo Bay. Afterward, we returned to Otway National Park for a short walk at ‘Maits Rest’, a cool temperate rainforest with ancient trees and ferns.
Midday: Kennett River and Lorne
The journey continues along the scenic Great Ocean Road towards Kennett River, where you can spot wild Koalas in their natural habitat. We then stop at Lorne, the largest seaside village on the route, for lunch and some leisure time.
Afternoon: Surf Coast, Torquay, and Geelong
After lunch, we travel along the surf coast, visiting Torquay and Bells Beach, renowned for their surf culture. We also stop by the Anglesea Golf Club, where you may see Kangaroos roaming the greens. Our final stop before Melbourne is Geelong, where we enjoy afternoon tea along the re-designed waterfront.
Late Afternoon: Arrive in Melbourne
As we leave Geelong, our journey takes us across the iconic West Gate Bridge, offering panoramic views of Melbourne’s skyline. This bridge, with its impressive structure and rich history, serves as the grand entrance to Victoria’s capital city.
Evening: Drop-off in Melbourne
We conclude our 3-day Adelaide to Melbourne adventure with a drop-off at your Melbourne CBD hotel at around 5:00 PM. Whether you’re continuing your travels or settling into Melbourne, this scenic journey provides a memorable transition between two of Australia’s most vibrant cities.
This carefully planned itinerary offers the ideal mix of adventure, relaxation, and exploration. Whether you love nature, are interested in history, or enjoy good wine, this journey lets you experience the best of South Australia’s and Victoria’s beautiful landscapes and cultural heritage.
This Adelaide 3-day itinerary is your perfect gateway to the natural beauty and cultural treasures of Southern Australia and Victoria. Ideal for solo travellers, couples, or families, this journey offers something for everyone.
Don’t miss out—book your spot today and experience one of Australia’s most iconic adventures from Adelaide to Melbourne!
We include breakfast and dinner for each night on tour. Chris’s restaurant does a wonderful meal overlooking the ocean followed by a deluxe continental breakfast the following morning.
The Barn has one of the best steakhouses in Australia and it is to die for. They also do a cooked breakfast to kickstart the next day.
When we stay at the Royal Mail Hotel at Dunkeld at the foot of the Grampians, we include the degustation menu at ‘Wickens’. It is a celebration of food and creativity and should not be missed. A simple in room continental is all that is necessary the following day but a stop by the bakery on the way out of town is not unheard of.
We will do the GOR in a day if we cannot convince people to do the 2-day or 3-day options, but it is not something we promote nor recommend. It is such a long day of driving, and you are limited in what you can see and the amount of time at each place. It is better doing it in a small vehicle rather than a big bus but if you have the time, an extra day is certainly worth it.
